Idaho State Flower and State Bird
Mountain Bluebird ~ Sialia currucoides
The Mountain Bluebird sings its seldom-heard but sweet warble in high meadows at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet. It may venture as far north as central Alaska and is sometimes called the Arctic Bluebird. Nesting in tree holes and bird boxes, this species incubates two sets of five or six blue eggs in a season.
Syringa ~ Philadelphia lewisii
No state flower has as many names as Idaho's, and none raises as many questions. This confusion over the flower's proper name is the fault of the old herbalists who united jasmine, mock orange, and lilac under once classification, Syringa. The kind of Syringa chosen as Idaho's state flower grows to twelve feet in height. In early summer it is covered with masses of fragrant white flowers. Glistening petals surround numerous bright yellow stamens. After the flower's four petals fall, the green seed capsule, set in a cup made by four sepals, continues to decorate the shrub. In late summer this seed capsule ripens and releases the seeds.
From The Wildflowers of the 50 States U.S. stamps issued July 24, 1992:
Idaho Wildflower - Yellow Skunk Cabbage
Art from the 50-stamp series, State Birds and Flowers,
issued April 14, 1982 simultaneously in all state capitals.
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